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Police call it 'largest seizure of heroin in Des Moines history'

Des Moines police said Tuesday they have made probably the largest seizure of heroin ever in Des Moines.

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Updated: 12:23 PM CDT Jul 16, 2013

Police call it 'largest seizure of heroin in Des Moines history'

Des Moines police said Tuesday they have made probably the largest seizure of heroin ever in Des Moines.

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Updated: 12:23 PM CDT Jul 16, 2013

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WEBVTT Des Moines Police say it's likely the largest heroin seizure in the history of Des Moines. Good afternoon, thanks for joining us. Officers are releasing details today of the bust that netted them 11 pounds of heroin and 2 pounds of methamphetam ine this past Friday... from 50-year- old Abraham Diaz-Rodriguez and 42-year-old Ismael Portillo- Corrales. Kim St. Onge has been following this story and joins us now from the newsroom. Mollie, Des Moines Police say they typically confiscate about 11 grams worth of heroin every year ... But this drug bust alone was almost 5 thousand grams! Police believe Rodriguez and Corrales were traveling from Arizona and on their way to Indiana to distribute the Heroin. Officials think the meth would have been sold here in Iowa. The estimated street value for these drugs as found is more than 1 point 3 million dollars. But Sergeant Halifax with the Des Moines Police says the seized drugs were very pure. If the meth and heroin were "cut" to a less-pure state, which he says is common, he estimates it would increase the value to more than 3 million dollars. This drug bust even has police in shock. "THIS IS AN ENORMOUS SEIZURE. ANYTIME WE SEE THAT MUCH MORE QUANTITY THAN WE TYPICALLY SEE OR THAT HIGH OF QUALITY IT'S SOMEWHAT SURPRISING TO INVESTIGATORS TO COME ACROSS THAT." Portillo-Corrales is being held at the Polk County Jail on 410- thousand dollars bond. Diaz- Rodriguez is also being held at the Polk County Jail without bond while officials investigate his immigration status. Des Moines Police are holding a 1 o'clock press conference to give us our first look at the confiscated drugs. You can count on KCCI to be at that presser. Look for updates on this story on KCCI 8 News at 5 and 6 and KCCI dot com.

Police call it 'largest seizure of heroin in Des Moines history'

Des Moines police said Tuesday they have made probably the largest seizure of heroin ever in Des Moines.